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Coming for Surgery
Sometimes during a clinic appointment, it may be determined that your child requires surgery.
Pre-operative appointments
If your child is booked to have surgery or another procedure under anesthesia you may already be in the process of evaluation by the Pre-Anesthesia Clinic.
The Pre-Anesthesia Clinic is available to all patients and families with an upcoming surgery or other procedure at SickKids. Depending on your child's health history, this appointment may be with an anesthesiologist, nurse practioner, or registered nurse.
This appointment may be conducted by a pre-booked telephone call appointment, a virtual video vonsult (Zoom) or an in-person appointment assessment. Learn more about what to expect at the Pre-Anesthesia Clinic.
Family presence and masking
During fall and winter months, SickKids recommends wearing a mask when you are receiving patient care, with your child when they are receiving care, or in waiting areas and family spaces.
Learn how to prepare for surgery and navigate common health concerns that can increase the risk involved with surgical procedures in children.
Parents and children can navigate fear and anxiety by knowing what to expect on the day of surgery, and reviewing after surgery care information.
Read about preparing for surgery on AboutKidsHealth
As a parent, you can play an important role in preparing your child for a stay in hospital. Learn about your child's operation, ask questions, and find out how you can prepare your child. Read about preparing for surgery on AboutKidsHealth.
Opportunity to participate in research
Is your child about to undergo surgery or has recently had surgery? SickKids researchers are examining parents' attitudes towards being approached the day of surgery for research consent.
Study title:
Determining parental attitudes toward day of surgery research consent
Site investigator:
Dr. Katherine Taylor, Department of Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, SickKids
Questions?
Please contact:
Carolyne Pehora, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator
Department of Anesthesia & Pain Medicine
This study has been reviewed by SickKids Research Ethics Board.
What is the study about?
The purpose of this study is to examine parents'/guardians' attitudes toward being approached on the day of surgery for research consent. The results of this study will be useful in establishing research guidelines about what kind of studies parents are comfortable being approached for on the day of surgery. These guidelines can then be used across SickKids.
Who can participate?
Parents whose children have undergone surgery in the last six months or who are about to undergo a surgical procedure in the next six months.
What's involved?
This study involves completing an online survey that should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Are there benefits to participating?
There are no direct benefits to you for participating in this research study. We hope that the information we learn from this study can be used in the future to benefit other people who are approached for research consent.
Operating Room Data Recorder (ORDR)
SickKids uses an Operating Room Data Recorder (ORDR) system in three surgical rooms to collect video and audio data to assist the organization with quality improvement and safety initiatives. The ORDR project is designed to help operating room staff build their knowledge, enhance training, and improve process efficiencies.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The Operating Room Data Recorder (ORDR) system is a tool SickKids adopted as part of its efforts to improve our safety culture, staff education training, and Operating Room efficiency and teamwork. The data, when collected and analyzed, can help inform educational materials for staff and trainees, optimize efficiency, improve resource utilization, and increase safety and quality during surgery.
The ORDR system captures synchronized and time-stamped video and audio data from wall-mounted video cameras, ceiling-mounted microphones, surgical video, and patient anesthetic/physiological data. It measures efficiency and safety in the Operating Room, such as start times, time out compliance, procedure times, turnover times, team dynamics, and can provide information on challenges and opportunities that occur during surgery.
Although the patient is recorded as part of the surgery, their identity remains unknown to the reviewer. Video and audio will be universally de-identified by blurring all figures and distorting voices. Raw data is permanently and irreversibly erased after 30 days. The cameras will not have access to any patient information such as names, birthdates, or addresses.
A small number of clinical staff will have access to the information using multi-factor authentication. Governance is established to ensure only select trained clinical staff will use it to ensure quality improvement.
Yes. The purpose is to additionally capture information about Operating Room turnover times, downtime, staffing, cleaning, stocking, and other factors in addition to the direct procedures performed in the space.
If a patient or family member does not consent to the recording, the system will be paused for the duration that the patient is in the Operating Room and no data will be recorded. As soon as that patient leaves the Operating Room, the recording will resume.
If it is an emergency case, patients and families are notified afterwards to avoid delays in care. The recording will be discarded for those who request to opt out.
Patients and families have a right to request access to their own PHI (patient health information); however, we cannot grant requests to access PHI collected by the ORDR due to exemptions in the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Under PHIPA, the patient can appeal the decision with Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Please ask a member of your health-care team if you require more information.
Contact Surgery
Have questions about your child's surgery?
If you have any questions about your child's surgery, please contact the surgeon's office directly. If you do not have the surgeon's number, please call SickKids General inquiries at 416-813-1500.
Have questions about your child's anesthesia?
If you have any questions related to the anesthesia, please call the Pre-Anesthesia Clinic at (416) 813-8465.